teddy

I enjoy Quantum class because they are different.  I've sailed four of them and mostly to bucket list destinations like Alaska, Hawaii and New Zealand.  
Oasis class, until Icon came about, have always been in a league of their own and can't be compared to any other ship class.  Oasis and now Icon are very wide ships, much wider than all other classes of ship.  It's the extra width that allows things like Central Park and Boardwalk.  On any other platform without the extra width it's not practical to install these areas without removing all guest cabins in those areas.  Removing guest cabins to add more venues and features isn't practical for any cruise line.
Oasis class are much larger ships at 225,000+ GT while Quantum class are around 168,000 GT.  That extra 30% of space allows them to put more venues and areas on Oasis class.  
Why doesn't Radiance class have ice skating rinks and zip lines and central park and boardwalk and aqua theaters and so on?  Because Radiance class is one third the size of Oasis class and obviously you can't put the same features and venues on a ship that doesn't have the space for them.   
The Windjammer on Quantum class is my favorite across the fleet.  I really dislike the Windjammer on Oasis class.  The food stations are all over the place with some on the side and some around the corner on the back.  It's really hard to find seating on Oasis class Windjammers at peak times.  Oasis class Windjammers are truly jammers slammed with people.  Some Quantum class Windjammers have outdoor seating which I love.
The lack of waterslides is known before booking.  It appears odd to me to complain they are missing.  That's like buying a sedan then complaining it's not a 4x4 pick up truck.  Given where most Quantum class are deployed waterslides are impractical.  
It's okay not to like something but that doesn't justify calling it a dud.  
Royal's next class of ship, Discovery class, is not going to be a mini Oasis class ship.  They too will be much smaller ships that won't have the space for all Oasis class features.  Like Quantum class the smaller footprint will allow them to sail into ports that Oasis class can't fit into.  That's kind of the point.  They will be different too.  Different doesn't make them duds.  
Oasis and Icon class ships are the destination and the ports you visit are less important.  If the itinerary is boring it doesn't matter because the ship is as much the destination as the itinerary may be.
Other classes of ships can visit more unique ports of call where mega ships can't sail.  When visiting these areas the ship isn't the destination as much as the ports of call are the destination.  
Anthem out of Bayonne was a perfect pairing with two sea days down the coast and two sea days on the way back home in the cold Atlantic ocean where few would be using waterslides most of the time.  The indoor family pool means kids are not trying to sneak into the adult only solarium pools on those colder sea days in winter months.
What I love best of all my 14 Quantum class cruises are the memories of the destinations.  Alaska, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand for example.  Greek islands and Europe for Odyssey is a great summer pairing.  
I like that Royal's fleet is diverse and not just ships that are variations of the same thing.  With research I can choose a ship that fits my needs based on the region I'll be sailing.  I suggest doing more research next time and avoid booking a ship that doesn't have features that are important to you.  

You may not fill your water bottle directly from any dispenser, though.  You must fill a glass and pour that into your water bottle.  But, yes, you can do that.

Is this a record?? 😃 What's the earliest you've won a Royal Up bid?
More info: I didn't receive an email to bid, I used the "upgrade your stateroom" link in the Cruise Planner. The link was available 75 days before the sail date and I placed bids for maybe $20 over the starting prices. Received my "congratulations" email exactly 14 days later. Check in for the cruise doesn't open for another 14 days . . . 

There's a lot of variety in travel insurance.  I aim to purchase mine within 14 days of my initial deposit so that I can have Cancel For Any Reason protection (CFAR).  
You can purchase your insurance up until the time you leave.  It's a good idea to cover your trip door-to-door, which will cover your trip from the minute you leave your house to the minute you get home.  If I get in an accident on the way to the port or airport and can't make the sailing, I want coverage.  It's also important for me to have coverage for major medical when outside the country, and coverage to get me back to the US if something happens overseas.  While my own health insurance does cover me, it would all be out-of-network, and they certainly wouldn't pay to get me back by medivac if needed!
But not everyone needs/wants that kind of coverage and maybe just want to cover the sailing.  That's why there's no one answer. I like to purchase off of tripinsurance.com, but there are many insurance aggregation sites.  Check out a few and see what works for you.  I haven't found that the insurance provided by the cruise line covers more than the days you are actually on the ship (you may be able to add onto it, but I don't want the hassle), so I always buy 3rd party.

There’s no reason to worry. 
 
We would sail on Adventure anytime.  

There’s no reason to worry. 
 
We would sail on Adventure anytime.  

We’re on this cruise too.  It’ll be our first time on Odyssey as well. 
 
 

There’s no reason to worry. 
 
We would sail on Adventure anytime.  

There’s no reason to worry. 
 
We would sail on Adventure anytime.  

I got off Adventure (8 night) this morning. A guy near me wore a different Detroit Lions shirt all 8 nights. That's fan devotion.

Just saying a quick hello here, first time in about four years. I just booked the 12-night Odyssey sailing in Jan 2025, which is an itinerary I've been wanting to do kind of since I first started sailing with Royal in 2018 and learned about it. Seemed like a nice way to celebrate turning 55. 🙂
To everyone I haven't spoken with in all these years, hope you've been well!

My biggest concern with 4 in a room is the bathroom situation.  If you are considering a Junior Suite…why not consider 2 OV Balconies next to each other or connecting.  You could also consider one OVBalcony with an interior across the hall.  With a 2 room choice you may need to book one adult with one tween in each room.  2 rooms gives 2 bathrooms.  A JS still has just 1 bathroom with a tub.
Of course price is most important but to me…so is comfort and convenience.
Best of luck!

Another strong vote for the train! It is inexpensive and simple and getting transport from the station to the ship is too. The hardest part is getting out of the train station (you have to go down via stairs or a small elevator to get under the tracks to exit). There are cabs waiting if you're in a hurry for the 10-minute or so trip to the dock, but shuttle buses also run between the station and the dock... there are different colors for the different cruise lines so ask the driver to make sure you get on the RC shuttle.  They are cash only (was 3 Euro per person a couple years ago) and very easy.  For two people it can;t be beat, plus once you get out of Rome the train through the countryside is lovely.

Update for all,
 
Just received email from Aon which is the Insurance that is selected when you book through Priceline, also who is the Insurance when booking directly with Royal Caribbean.
We have been approved for refund. Very pleased and relieved to have this news and reimbursement.  Followed the instruction, had the doctors paperwork filled out and also submitted the discharge paperwork showing all tests performed and diagnosis. Online submission was on March 2nd received email confirming acceptance of claim on March 19th. 
Little guy is doing well and recovered from Influenza B, Double ear infection, and Pneumonia. So all is well and time to finally rebook our next cruise for Dec 8th to replace the lost one!

The free picture (per person) is a very underrated perk.  I forgot about it my first couple of times but now it's a nice little souvenir to remember each cruise or port individually.  Now I have pictures taken at every opportunity and then just pick the best 1 or 2 to download free on the last night.

I agree with @smokeybandit.  In order to file an insurance claim you must have suffered some financial loss that you are trying to recoup.  There is no financial loss in missing a port unless you have a non-refundable excursion already purchased and that’s not even possible on Labadee.  There is no claim to file.  

With a private destination like labadee, what possible loss would you even seek to recoup?

No ship is too small when you compare it to the alternative of not being on a ship at all.

GTY is a Guaranteed Cabin.  It’s an option when booking to let Royal Caribbean chose your cabin.   You can chose the basic category….interior, ocean view, balcony, suite, but they place you in a cabin. 
 
It’s typically cheaper (but not 100% of the time), however one must be satisfied with having a cabin anywhere on the ship.  No takesies backsies.   Occasionally there will be an internet post from someone who booked a guaranteed cabin and was dissatisfied with the cabin they got. 
 
There are instances when people who were assigned their cabin and were able to call and get a different location, but the replacement cabin must be in the exact same category as the one assigned.  

We’re on this one too, and it’s still accessible via the ap 

Our US ATT plan includes Canada and Mexico by default. The International Day Pass is on top of the US, Canada, and Mexico. 

If I had known I would have had more Labradoozies.  

Another day at Labadee is in the books.   We had great weather and a great day at Labadee.  
Bonus for seeing my shadow (I’m the one waving).  Does that mean six more weeks of cruising?
 



 

Farewell Labadee, until next time.

All in all it's a pretty normal day here.
I understand some excursions were cancelled such as Jet ski tours and Amiga island.  I don't know the reasoning and didn't ask.
I would not hesitate to book another cruise with only a stop in Labadee.
Now back to Labadee for round two with the Labradoozie Society.  

The point was now open so I ventured out for a look.

Walking along the fort the little bit of cloud cover has burned off and it's a beautiful day in full sunshine.

With the ship in full sunlight I stopped at the overlook again for more pictures.


Finishing at the base of pier the area was much busier now so a few last photos of the ship.